Medical restraint



July 28, 1970' J. A. MACKEY 3,521,625

' MEDICAL RESTRAINT Filed July 17, 1968 1' 1" l I d I I v l NVEN TOR.

United States Patent hoe 3,521,625 MEDICAL RESTRAINT John A. Mackey, 313S. Brush St., Fremont, Ohio 43420 Filed July 17, 1968, Ser. No. 745,493Int. Cl. A61f 13/00 U.S. Cl. 128-133 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREApparatus for restraining movement of a patients arm including a rigidassembly and means for releasably securing the upper arm portion and theforearm portion of a patients arm to the assembly to prevent relativemovement between the arm portions. The assembly has an opening formedtherein at an elbow section to prevent the elbow portion of the patientsarm from contacting the assembly. Means are provided for supporting theelbow section of the assembly above a surface whereby the elbow portionof a patients arm is held in non-contacting relationship above thesurface.

In modern medicine, intravenous treatments have become an increasinglyimportant and widely used medical procedure. Many medicationsadministered intravenously have proved to be life-saving on innumerableoccasions.

Briefly, intravenous infusion requires a source of prescribed fluid, aneedle for insertion into one of the patients veins, and a tubeconnecting the fluid source to the needle. The tip of the needle must besubstantially immobilized and centered relative to the vein channel soas not to repeatedly strike or press against the intima or vein lining.If the needle tip is allowed to vibrate against or repeatedly prick theintima, traumatic damage results which, although slight, may set offthat series of biochemical reactions which causes blood coagulation.Extension of such clotting action along the vessel toward the heartrepresents a danger from clot fragments which might be carried towardthe heart and lungs and seriously damage those organs.

Also, if a needle tip is allowed to press against the vein lining for asuffiicent period of time, pressure can result which may serve as afocal point for possible infection, i.e., phlebitis.

Despite the undeniably favorable results of the intravenous treatment,patients recall these treatments with much distaste. They remember theensuing misery after insertion of the needle that they have had toendure from holding their hands or arms in uncomfortable positions formany hours, and the stiffness, pain and loss of blood circulation, andnumbness of the extremity which results from the arm being taped to apiece of flat wood traditionally used for this purpose which is calledan arm board.

These arm boards onto which the arms or hands are strapped are longpieces to which the arm is taped tightly to immobilize the arm. Quitefrequently circulation through blood vessels around the elbow region ofthe arm is cut off resulting in a numbness of the extremity, pain whenthe circuation is later restored, and possible damage from a lack ofcirculation in the extremity. Further, previous restraints ordinarily donot have any inclinations to accommodate the natural bent of the humanlimb, tending to lock the elbow region or joint in a position whichfurther restricts blood circulation.

3,521,625 Patented July 28, 1970 Accordingly, it is an object of thisinvention to provide an improved medical restraint.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im proved medicalrestraint which will not interfere with blood circulation flow, will bemore comfortable for the patient, will be more stable against tipping ormovement in the event of the inability of the patient to retain therestraint in a desired position, yet which will restrain relativemovement of the upper arm and forearm which might cause the undesirableeffects discussed hereinbefore.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated herein there is featured apparatusfor immobilizing the arm of a patient during medical or surgicaltreatment such as during an intravenous infusion or transfusion whichincludes a forearm rest member, an upper arm rest member separated fromthe forearm rest member defining an elbow opening region therebetweenallowing the elbow portion of the arm to be supported in non-contactingrelationship with either arm rest member, and means connecting the restmembers in the separated relationship and against movement relative toeach other. Means are further provided for suspending the elbow regionportion of the assembly of arm rest members and connecting means above asurface, such as a bed, to prevent contact of the elbow region with thesurface. Means are provided for releasably securing the forearm andupper arm to the assembly to prevent movement of the arm portionsrelative to each other. The forearm and upper arm rest members arepreferably inclined toward each other to prevent the elbow portion ofthe arm being locked in a blood circulation restricting position.

The connecting means may comprise a pair of side members. The forearmand upper arm rest members extend between and are secured to the sidemembers in the separated relationship. The suspending means may comprisedownwardly depending leg extensions of the side members. The legextensions of the side members advantageously diverge from each other toimprove the stability of the apparatus against tipping.

The releasable securing means may comprise a plurality of straps, atleast one strap being located on one side of the elbow region of theapparatus and another of the straps being located on the other side ofthe elbow region of the apparatus. The side members may have opposingslots for each strap formed therein to receive and pass the straps belowthe arm rest members to prevent strap contact with the underside of thepatients arm. The side members may have further opposing slots for eachstrap formed therein to receive and pass the straps above the arm restmembers to permit positive strap engagement with the upper side of thepatients arm.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will becomeapparent when the following description is taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying the teachings of thisinvention, showing a patients arm secured in place;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thestraps removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken from the right;and

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the restraint of this invention,again with the straps removed for clarity In the preferred embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in the drawings, the device comprises anassembly generally indicated at which may preferably be of transparentplastic material to afford a clear view of all portions of the patientsarm at all times. For all uses the device need not be of transparentplastic material. It may be of translucent plastic or plastics which donot permit light to pass therethrough. Examples of suitable plastic orplastic-like materials which can be employed are Lucite, Plexiglas,Fiberglas, and Durez materials. In actual embodiments of the invention arigid transparent plastic material of about A of an inch in thicknesshas proved satisfactory. Light metals such as aluminum or magnesium canalso be used to advantage in some instances.

Preferably, the material, regardless of its nature, should be such as tobe capable of withstanding sterilizing temperatures without deformationor other injury thereto. The materials should also be able to withstandcold chemical sterilization.

The assembly 10 comprises an upper arm rest member 11, separated from aforearm rest member 12 to provide an elbow opening region 16 between thetwo rest members, permitting a non-contact positioning of the backportion of the patients elbow area.

The rest members 11, 12 are supported in the separated or spacedrelationship shown by side members 13 and 14. The side members 13 and 14are of rigid material and do not permit the movement of the upper armrest member 11 relative to the lower or forearm rest member 12.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that as the side members 13, 14 proced fromleft to right they diverge so that the distance between the side members13, 14 is greater at the left than it is at the right. This providesadditional stability to the restraint and assist in blocking a tippingmovement of the entire restraining assembly, particularly when thepatient is in an unconscious or delirious state.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the upper arm mem ber 11 and the forearmmember 12 are inclined toward each other to provide a support closelyapproximating the natural bent of the arm of the patient in a relaxedposition, to prevent a flat or distended or extended position of the armwhich may restrict blood flow through vessels in a locked position ofthe elbow region of the arm.

The side members 13 and 14 have downwardly depending leg portions 13aand 14a which assist the side members 13, 14 in suspending or supportingthe arm rest members 11 and 12 above a surface on which the lower edgesof the leg extensions 13a, 14a are resting. This prevents any pressurefrom being exerted on the back of the elbow joint or region of thepatients arm which may cause restriction of the blood flow therethrough.

Means for releasably securing the patients arm to the restraint areshown in FIG. 1 as straps 20, 21, 22. The straps may have bucklearrangements to release and restrain arms in the apparatus or,preferably, may have at the ends thereof the press type fastener on theend regions a, 21a, 22a of the straps which function to hold the strapsin a fastened position merely by pressing the tufted regions againsteach other.

As is noted a plurality of straps are utilized, at least one strap beinglocated on one side of the elbow region of the apparatus and another ofthe straps being located on the other side of the elbow region of theapparatus.

region of the patients arm during surgery and recovery thereafter, orduring extended therapy. It can further be seen that the inclination ofthe arm rest members toward each other permits the disposition of thepatients arm in a more natural inclination between the upper arm and theforearm to prevent a locking of the elbow joint or region and resultantblood flow restriction.

There has thus been described apparatus for restraining movement of apatients arm which comprises a rigid assembly 10 and strap means 20, 21,22 for releasably securing the upper arm portion and the forearm portionof a patients arm to the assembly '10 to prevent relative movementbetween the arm portions. The assembly has an elbow opening 16 formedtherein at an elbow section of the assembly to prevent the elbow portionof the patients arm from contacting the assembly. Leg means 13a, 14asupport the elbow section of the assembly above a surface whereby theelbow portion of the patients arm is held in a non-contactingrelationship above the surface.

In summary, it is to be noted that it is apparent within the scope ofthis invention to provide modifications and different arrangements otherthan herein disclosed. The present disclosure, therefore, isillustrative only, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for immobilizing the arm of a patient during medical orsurgical treatment such as during an intravenous infusion or transfusioncomprising a forearm rest member, an upper arm rest member separatedfrom said forearm rest member and defining an elbow region allowing theelbow portion of the arm to be supported therebetween in non-contactingrelationship with either arm rest member, means connecting said restmembers in said separated relationship and against movement relative toeach other, means for suspending the elbow region portion of theassembly of arm rest members and connecting means above a surface toprevent contact of the elbow region with said surface, and means forreleasably securing the forearm and upper arm to said assembly toprevent movement of the arm portions relative to each other.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said forearm and upper armrest members are inclined toward each other to prevent the elbow portionof the arm being locked in a blood circulation restricting position.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said connecting meanscomprises a pair of side members, said forearm and upper arm restmembers extending between and being secured to said side members in saidseparated relationship.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said suspending meanscomprises downwardly depending extensions of said side members.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said extensions of said sidemembers diverge from each other to improve the stability of saidapparatus against tipping.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said releasable securingmeans comprises a plurality of straps, at least one strap being locatedon one side of the elbow region of the apparatus and another of saidstraps being located on the other side of the elbow region of theapparatus.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said side members haveopposing apertures formed therein to receive and retain said straps.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said side members haveopposing slots for each strap formed therein to receive and pass saidstraps below said arm rest members to prevent strap contact with theunder side of the patients arm.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which said side members havefurther opposing slots for each strap formed therein to receive and passsaid straps above said arm rest members to permit positive strapengagement with the upper side of the patients arm.

5 10. Apparatus for restraining movement of a patients References Cited$31 ifi ffi fi :rS n?p cij r f nd tilz zof ar$ 222 3 UNITED STATESPATENTS o r P r of a patients arm to said assembly to prevent relative2,693,794 1/1954 Nevlue 128 2-05 movement between the arm portions, saidassembly hav- 5 3,256,880 CaYPmar 128' 133 ing an opening formed thereinat an elbow section to pre- 312951518 967 Hazlewood et a1 128-433 ventthe elbow portion of the patients arm from contacting said assembly, andmeans for supporting the elbow ADELE EAGER Pnmary Exammer section ofsaid assembly above a surface whereby the US Cl XR elbow portion of apatients arm is held in non-contacting 10 128*214 relationship abovesaid surface.

